Payette NF Disaster Relief Fence Reconstruction

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the 1240LT26Q0018 Disaster Relief Payette Fence Reconstruction project, clarifying various aspects for potential bidders.

• On-site Visits: No formal pre-bid site visits will be held due to winter conditions and closed roads. Interested parties may attempt self-guided visits, but access will be limited. A post-award visit with the awarded Contractor is planned.
• Material Substitution/Existing Materials: Bidders must prepare proposals based on total or full replacement of materials as per specifications. Deviations or product substitutions will not be evaluated during the solicitation period. Post-award substitutions may be considered. Existing on-site materials are unlikely to be salvageable due to fire damage and age, and bids should assume full replacement.
• Existing Fence Disposal: Contractors are not required to remove and dispose of existing fence components from Federal lands; they may remain in place.
• Project Area Access: Primary access is via Forest Road 618 and 653. Winter access is extremely limited and may require foot travel or winter off-highway vehicles.

This document clarifies that bids must adhere strictly to specifications, anticipating full material replacement, and that pre-bid material substitutions will not be considered. It also provides important logistical information regarding site access and disposal of existing infrastructure.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the Payette Disaster Relief Fence Reconstruction project. The government is procuring the reconstruction and replacement of approximately 59,183 feet of range fence destroyed by the 2024 Lava Fire on the Boise National Forest. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Reconstruction/replacement of three specific fences: Mill Creek Summit Boundary Fence (23,545'), Thirdfork Boundary Fence (17,181'), and Payette-Ola C Boundary Fence (18,457').

• Materials to be provided by the contractor.

• Fences to be of the same construction as existing specifications.

• Work to be conducted in remote sections of the Boise National Forest with limited road access.

• Avoidance of threatened or endangered vegetation (e.g., White Bark Pine).

• No live trees to be cut.

• Cultural/heritage resources discovery requires work stoppage.

• Work is to be confined within a 20-foot buffer along the fence path.

• Anticipated contract type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: 06/01/2026 to 10/31/2027.

• Delivery Date: 10/31/2027.

• Delivery Location: Boise National Forest, 1249 South Vinnell Way Suite 200, Boise ID 83709-9999 US, FOB Destination.

• Offers are due no later than March 2nd, 2026, at 3:00 PM Mountain Time.

• Questions are due no later than March 2nd, 2026, at 3:00 PM Mountain Time, via email to derrick.dodson@usda.gov.

• Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the offer receipt date.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

  • Price will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.
  • Technical Acceptability will be rated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable."
  • Past Performance will be evaluated as "Acceptable," "Neutral," or "Unacceptable."

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Applicable NAICS Code: 238990.

• Small business size standard: $19.0 Million.

• This solicitation incorporates numerous FAR clauses and provisions by reference, including those related to Buy American, construction wage rates, and payment terms.

• A bid guarantee of 20 percent of the bid price or $3,000,000, whichever is less, is required.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work details the requirements for reconstructing approximately 59,183 feet (11.2 miles) of range fence on the Boise National Forest. This reconstruction is necessary due to damage from the 2024 Lava Fire and is crucial for managing livestock on the Payette C&H allotment and preventing unauthorized livestock use.

• Reconstruction of three specific fence sections: Mill Creek Summit Boundary Fence (23,545'), Thirdfork Boundary Fence (17,181'), and Payette – Ola C Boundary Fence (18,457').

• All fences will incorporate existing cattle guards.

• Work will be conducted in remote National Forest Land with limited road access.

• A 20-foot buffer (10 feet on either side of the fence path) must be maintained for all work and disturbance. Minor clearing of downed trees or branches is allowed, but no live trees should be cut.

• Minor deviations from the fence path are permitted to avoid larger obstructions.

• Use of small equipment (skid steers, ATVs, UTVs) is authorized within the buffer area where practical.

• Total avoidance of threatened or endangered vegetation species, including White Bark Pine, is required.

• Fences must not be secured to trees.

• Any discovery of cultural/heritage resources requires immediate cessation of work until forest heritage staff can be consulted.

• Contractor to provide all materials, tools, equipment, and labor.

• Fence construction: three wire strands using 4-inch diameter 8-foot round treated wood posts, 8-foot t-posts, 6-inch diameter 8-foot round treated wood posts for braces, 1 ½ inch x 2 inch x 48 inch wooden stays, metal fence staples, galvanized t-post clips, and 3" wooden stays.

• Wire specifications: Two strands of 12 ½ gauge round barbed wire, and one strand of 12 ½ gauge high tensile smooth wire. The bottom wire is smooth wire at 18" above ground; the second and third wires are barbed wire at 30" and 42" above ground.

• Gates: Constructed with the same three wires, with a bottom smooth wire and two barbed wires. Gate posts will be 16'6" on center with four 3" wooden stays.

• Gates placement: Minimum of every 1¼ mile and/or at every natural crossing point.

• Braces: Required every 660 feet, at changes in slope greater than 15 degrees, and at corners/turns greater than 15 degrees. Braces are to be horizontal, comprised of 6-inch diameter treated wood posts.

• Post spacing varies by slope: 16-foot intervals for level/slight slopes (every fifth post is 4-inch diameter treated wood), and 10-foot intervals for steep/moderate slopes.

• Period of Performance: June 01, 2026 through October 31, 2027 (weather and snow load dependent).

• Location: Gem County, Idaho, north of the town of Ola, on National Forest System lands within the Boise National Forest administrative boundary.

• Access: Via FS 618 (Third Fork Road), FS 653, and FS 607.

• Terrain: Forested mountains with varied soil depths and rock; expect difficult digging and access in some areas.

• Avoidance of threatened/endangered species.

• No securing fences to trees.

• Protocol for cultural/heritage resource discovery.

• Specific construction materials and methods detailed for posts, wires, stays, gates, and braces.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map illustrating the "Payette-Ola C Boundary Fence, 18,457" and the "Boise NF Administrative Boundary." It serves to visually define the project area and its relation to the National Forest boundaries.

• Topographic map showing terrain features, elevation contours, and water bodies.
• Clearly delineates the "Payette-Ola C Boundary Fence" line (in orange).
• Shows the "Boise NF Administrative Boundary" (in green).
• Includes a zoomed-in inset map for a more detailed view of the immediate area.
• Provides a scale bar in miles and a north arrow.
• Contains a disclaimer regarding the map's intended use, emphasizing it's for general depiction and not for determining legal boundaries, access restrictions, or precise navigation.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the geographical context and location of the fence reconstruction project. It helps visualize the work area, its terrain, and its proximity to the Boise National Forest administrative boundaries, which may be relevant for logistical planning, site assessment, and understanding potential environmental or access considerations.

Environmental Assessment / Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) / Decision Notice

This document details the Lava Restoration Project, a post-fire restoration effort on the Boise National Forest following the 2024 Lava Fire. The project aims to mitigate hazards, restore forest conditions, protect the landscape, and recover economic value from fire-killed trees. It addresses the need for hazard tree mitigation, reforestation, revegetation of non-forested areas, recreation and access management, infrastructure repair, and range management.

• Hazard Tree Mitigation: Removal of fire-damaged trees posing risks along roads, trails, and recreation sites.

• Area Salvage: Commercial removal of fire-damaged trees in designated areas to recover economic value and facilitate reforestation.

• Reforestation/Revegetation: Planting of native species to restore forest cover and non-forested habitats.

• Infrastructure Repair: Repair of roads, bridges, culverts, and signs.

• Recreation & Access Management: Maintaining safe public access and deterring unauthorized use.

• Range Management: Ensuring recovery of vegetation and water quality in grazing allotments.

• The project is authorized under an Emergency Situation Determination (ESD), allowing for immediate implementation.

• Commercial timber sale contracts will be used to leverage capacity for hazard tree removal and salvage.

• This document is not a solicitation; it is a decision document based on an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

• Public comment periods were held during the development of the EA/FONSI.

• Not applicable, as this is not a solicitation.

• The project is consistent with the Boise National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.

• Specific design features and mitigation measures are detailed to minimize impacts on sensitive species (e.g., Bull Trout, Whitebark Pine) and resources (e.g., water quality, cultural resources).

• The project is located in Gem, Valley, Adams, and Washington Counties, Idaho.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map illustrating the "Payette C&H Fence Reconstruction" project area within the Boise National Forest. It delineates key boundary fences and the administrative boundary of the Boise National Forest.

• Boundary Fences: Identifies and provides lengths for three specific boundary fences: Mill Creek Summit Boundary Fence (23,545'), Thirdfork Forest Boundary Fence (17,181'), and Payette-Ola C Boundary Fence (18,457').
• Administrative Boundary: Shows the Boise NF Administrative Boundary.
• Topographical Features: Includes roads, creeks, and section lines for geographical context.
• Inset Map: A smaller map highlights the general project area within a broader region.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the geographical scope and location of the proposed fence reconstruction project. It provides visual context for the areas where work will be performed and helps in assessing the terrain and surrounding features relevant to the project.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map illustrating the "Third Fork Forest Boundary Fence, 17,181'" and the "Boise NF Administrative Boundary." It serves as a visual aid to define the project area for the "Payette C&H Fence Reconstruction" opportunity.

• The map displays topographical features, including contour lines, roads, and water bodies.
• It clearly delineates the Third Fork Forest Boundary Fence and the Boise National Forest Administrative Boundary.
• Key landmarks such as the "Third Fork Cabin" are indicated.
• An inset map provides a broader view of the area, including the town of BOIS.
• A scale bar is provided in miles.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the geographical scope and location of the fence reconstruction project. It helps in visualizing the terrain, the extent of the boundary fence, and its relation to the national forest boundaries, which may impact logistics, planning, and execution of the work.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map illustrating the proposed "Payette C&H Fence Reconstruction" project, specifically detailing the "Mill Creek Summit Fence" and its alignment relative to the "Mill Creek Summit Boundary Fence, 23,545'" and the "Boise NF Administrative Boundary."

• The map displays topographical features, roads, trails, and water bodies.
• It clearly delineates the proposed fence line (in orange) and the administrative boundary (in green).
• Key locations such as "Mill Creek Summit" are marked.
• An inset map provides a broader geographical context.
• A scale bar in miles is provided.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the geographical scope and location of the fence reconstruction project. It helps in visualizing the terrain, the extent of the fence, and its relationship to existing boundaries, which is essential for planning site visits, assessing logistical challenges, and estimating resources required for the project.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a General Decision Number (ID20260110) for heavy construction projects in Idaho, specifically for Boise, Canyon, Gem, and Owyhee Counties. It supersedes a previous decision (ID20250110) and was published on January 23, 2026, with a modification date of January 2, 2026.

This document provides prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits for various construction trades, including:

• Electrician
• Line Construction (Lineman)
• Power Equipment Operator (Crane)
• Power Equipment Operator (Backhoe/Excavator/Trackhoe)
• Ironworker
• Truck Driver (Dump Truck)
• Carpenter
• Laborer: Common or General
• Pipefitter
• Welders (rate prescribed for craft performing operation to which welding is incidental)

It also includes notes on Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage for federal contractors), outlining their applicability and requirements. Information on how to identify different types of rate identifiers (Union, Survey, State Adopted) and the process for wage determination appeals is also provided. Bidders should use this information to understand labor costs associated with the opportunity.